Fitment for a pouch

ABSTRACT

The present invention is an improved fitment assembly for a flexible pouch, the fitment assembly being sealed into the pouch as part of the pouch manufacturing process. The fitment assembly includes a fitment having a fitment threaded portion and a cap with threads. The threads on the fitment and the cap both have slots which allow pressure to escape from the pouch as the cap is unthreaded and the slots align. The fitment also includes specialized features such as extended tabs with notches in a canoe portion of the fitment that help to secure the fitment to the pouch. The fitment has parallel guide surfaces to aid in alignment and traverse of the fitment in a manufacturing line where the fitment is installed and the pouch is filled.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/684,467 filed Jan. 8, 2010, which claims priority of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/143,196 filed Jan. 8, 2009.This application also claims priority from U.S. Provisional ApplicationSer. No. 61/721,670 filed Nov. 2, 2012. All of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a fitment of a flexible pouchfor containing a product. Specifically, the fitment being designed tosecurely attach to the pouch, and to facilitate the release of pressure,when the contained product is under pressure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various types of disposable portable containers are known in the art forstoring a fluid or dry product such as a liquid, granular material,powder, or the like. One example of such a container is a flexiblepouch. Consumers prefer the convenience of flexible pouches due to theirshape, size, and shelf life. Flexible pouches have been used for sometime to distribute beverages such as fruit juice and the like.

Flexible pouches can be made from a flexible material, preferably alaminate composed of sheets of plastic or aluminum or the like. Theflexible pouch often has an opening means at a top portion for access tothe contents of the pouch. The opening typically can be a perforatedsection designed to be able to tear off the top portion of the pouch orit may be a plastic fitment sealed to the flexible pouch that optionallymay allow sealing of the pouch after it has been opened.

When a fitment is used to as a means to access the contents of thepouch, the fitment is typically sealed between the laminate layers ofthe pouch, and is secured by a bonding force between the laminate and asurface area portion of the fitment. This surface area, and ultimatelyseal strength between the fitment and pouch, can be limited by the pouchand fitment shape.

When a threaded fitment and cap are used to seal and unseal the pouch,the cap may unseal from the fitment when opening the pouch at the sametime the cap is no longer secured to the fitment. If the pouch containscontents under pressure, for example when a carbonated product such asbeer is used, the pressure could be quickly released and can cause thecap to be unstable when opening, similar to removing a cork from achampagne bottle. Further, the pressure in the pouch can cause the sealbetween the fitment and the laminated sheets to break down.

With the above problem in mind, a need exists for a specialized fitmentproviding a more secure attachment between the pouch and the fitment, aswell as improved sealing, opening, and resealing means of the pouch andfitment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is an improved fitment assembly for aflexible pouch, the fitment assembly being sealed into the pouch as partof the pouch manufacturing process. The fitment assembly includes afitment having a fitment threaded portion and a cap with threads. Thethreads on the fitment and the cap both have slots which allow pressureto escape from the pouch as the cap is unthreaded and the slots align.To determine if the fitment has been opened after manufacturing toidentify possible product tampering while in transit or the marketplace,a portion of the fitment is specifically designed to receive a safetyseal ring.

The fitment also includes specialized features such as extended tabswith notches in a canoe portion of the fitment that help to secure thefitment to the pouch. The fitment has parallel guide surfaces to aid inalignment and traverse of the fitment in a manufacturing line where thefitment is installed and the pouch is filled, and to facilitate aconsistent and proper alignment of the extended tabs of the fitment withthe pouch.

The fitment of the present invention is preferably made from aninjection molded plastic material, the fitment being bonded to theflexible pouch during a process wherein the edges of the flexible pouchare sealed, for example in the presence of heat and pressure. Duringthis sealing step, an additional reinforcement sealing can be applied tothe pouch in an area where an extended tab of the fitment cap extendsinto the sealing area of the flexible pouch.

To fill the flexible pouch after the fitment has been attached, thepouch can be loaded into an automated filling system, preferably into arail type guidance package handling system that utilizes the parallelguide surfaces of the fitment cap. As the flexible pouch with thefitment traverses along the filling system, the system may fill thepouch through the opening in the fitment. Once the pouch is filled, thesystem may then place a safety seal ring and threaded cap onto thefitment thereby sealing the product within the flexible pouch.

It can be appreciated that the advantages of the present invention usingthe specialized fitment within the flexible pouch include increasedsecurement strength of the fitment into the pouch, a consistentalignment of the fitment within the pouch thereby increasingmanufacturing speed and reducing cost, a consistent alignment andfeeding of the pouch with the fitment into a filling system, alsoincreasing manufacturing speed and reducing manufacturing costs,providing a resealable opening for the user, increasing the type ofmaterials used to fill the pouch and the length for which they can bestored, and also providing venting in the fitment and cap of the pouch,also increasing the type of materials that can be stored.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a top section of a flexible pouch with afitment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the fitment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an alternate perspective view of the fitment according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded front view of a fitment assembly according to thepresent invention including a safety seal ring and a cap;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the fitment according to the present invention;and

FIG. 6 is a top view of the fitment according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a cap for the fitment according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a first alternative embodiment of the fitment.

FIG. 9 is a front view of a second alternative embodiment of thefitment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a guide rail containing fitments of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiment of the invention for a fitment assembly 20 foruse with a flexible pouch 25 includes a fitment 30 with a fitmentthreaded portion 35 and a cap 40 with cap threads 45. The fitmentthreaded portion 35 has fitment threads 50; the fitment threads 50feature at least one fitment thread slot 55. The caps threads 45 featureat least one cap thread slot 60.

The fitment threaded portion 35 allows the cap 40 to be secured to thefitment 30 with the cap threads 45, and the fitment thread slots 55 andcap threaded slots 60 allow fluid, liquid or gas, that is contained inthe flexible pouch 25 under pressure to escape from the flexible pouch25. The release of fluid occurs when the cap 40 is loosened from thefitment 30. This release of fluid is enabled when the fitment threadslots 55 align with the cap thread slots 60 as the cap 40 is rotated tobe removed from the fitment 30. When the fitment thread slots 55 and thecap thread slots 60 align, a pass though channel is formed through whichthe fluid under pressure inside the flexible pouch 25 can escape.

Without the cap thread slots 60 and the fitment thread slots 55 pressureinside the flexible pouch 25, for example from carbonation of thecontents or external pressure applied to the flexible pouch 25, wouldprovide an upward force on the cap without thread slots. The upwardforce would urge the threads against each other, thereby creating a sealwhich would prohibit the release of the fluid under pressure. Thepressure on the threads would remain in place until the cap withoutthread slots was fully unthreaded from the fitment 30. Once the capwithout threaded slots was fully unthreaded, the pressure would bereleased, and at the same time the cap without thread slots would nolonger be secured to the fitment 30, and the cap without thread slotscould shoot off similar to a cork being removed from a champagne bottle.

In the preferred embodiment, the cap thread slots 60 are wider than thefitment thread slots 55, as can be seen when comparing FIGS. 1 and 7.The narrower fitment thread slots 55 help to provide a smooth threadingaction by giving more thread surface on the fitment threads 50 to engagewith the cap threads 45. The wider cap thread slots 60 provide a moreefficient release of pressure from within the flexible pouch 25 byallowing an increase in amount of rotational distance in which the capthread slots 60 and fitment thread slots 55 are aligned, therebyincreasing the availability of a pressure release channel or passagewhile the cap 40 is being removed.

To enable the fitment 30 to be secured to the flexible pouch 25, thefitment 30 has a canoe portion 65 located near the bottom of the fitment30. When viewed from the bottom, the canoe portion 65 of the preferredembodiment has a symmetrical converging lens or oval with tapered endstype shape, as can be seen in FIG. 6. The canoe portion 65 has a sealedportion 70 along its length which provides an outside surface area to besealed to the flexible pouch 25.

Disposed on opposite sides of the canoe portion 65 are extended tabs 75which are also sealed within the flexible pouch 25 and additionallysecured with a reinforcement seal 130. The extended tabs 75 provideadditional surface area in which the fitment 30 can be secured to theflexible pouch 25. It is appreciated that the extended tabs 75 can be ofvarious lengths and shapes as well as various heights as compared to thecanoe portion 65.

In alternative embodiments of the invention the extended tabs 75 canhave one or more horizontal notches 80 and/or vertical notches 85. Thehorizontal notches 80 are generally parallel to a longitudinal axis L(shown in FIG. 6) of the canoe portion L, while the vertical notches 85are generally perpendicular to longitudinal axis L. The notches receivethe flexible sheets of material and any sealant used there between. Theseal in the notches provides a more secure attachment of the fitment 30to the flexible pouch 25, especially in applications requiring extendedtabs 75 having a limited length, for example in a flexible pouch 25whose width is not that much greater than the width of the fitment 30.The embodiments having horizontal notches 80 and vertical notches 85 canbe seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, respectively. It is appreciated the notchesare not limited to a horizontal or vertical orientation, but rather theinvention could include horizontal notches 80 and vertical notches 85,as well as notches of other orientations, so long as those notches arein the extended tabs 75 of the canoe portion 65.

Fitment guide surfaces 90 are located on the fitment 30 above the canoeportion 65. The fitment guide surfaces 90 are flat and generallyrectangular in shape. The fitment guide surfaces 90 are parallel to eachother and disposed on opposite sides of the fitment 30. In the preferredembodiment, the fitment guide surfaces 90 are perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the canoe portion L. It is appreciated that thefitment guide surfaces 90 can be of different heights and widths thanthose shown in the preferred embodiment so long as they are parallel anddisposed at opposite sides of the fitment 30, thereby maintaining properalignment of the fitment 30 and flexible pouch 25 as it travels throughthe manufacturing process.

The fitment guide surfaces 90 mate with a guide rail 95 in a machineused to manufacture and fill the flexible pouch 25 with fitment assembly20. The interaction between the fitment guide surface 90 and the guiderail 95 allow consistent alignment of the fitment 30 in themanufacturing process. Consistent alignment enables the longitudinalaxis of the canoe portion L to be property aligned with the flexiblepouch 25 as the flexible pouch 25 and fitment 30 are joined. Having thefitment guide surfaces 90 run perpendicular to the longitudinal axis ofthe canoe portion L enables more flexible pouches 25 to be loaded intothe manufacturing line.

Located above the fitment guide surface 90 is a support flange 100,which extends from the fitment 30. The support flange 100 rides on topof the guide rail 95 to support the fitment 30 and flexible pouch 25 asit travels through the manufacturing process.

Between the support flange 100 and the fitment threaded portion 35 is asafety seal receiving portion 105. The safety seal receiving portion 105receives safety tabs 110 which inwardly extend from a safety seal ring115. The safety seal ring 115 when initially installed is bonded to thecap 40, and slides down over the fitment threaded portion 35, and over asafety seal flange 120, to be received and secured in the safety sealreceiving portion 105. To provide the bonding, the cap 40 and safetyseal ring 115 can being integrally formed by methods known to thoseskilled in the art, injection molding for example.

The cap 40 further in includes an insert 117. The insert is made of anoxygen absorbing material known to those skilled in the art. The 117 ispressed into the cap and is disposed above the cap threads 45, beingheld in place by an interference type press fit, adhesives, or any ofmethod known to those skilled in the art. The insert 117 absorbs oxygenwithin the sealed pouch, there by prolonging the life of the productcontained within the pouch, and reducing the pressure therein.

After the cap 40 and safety seal ring 115 are initially installed, thesafety seal ring 115 is prevented from being removed with the cap 40when the cap 40 is removed by the safety seal flange 120. The safetyseal flange 120 engages the safety tabs 110, which are designed to beable to traverse the safety seal flange 120 in an installationdirection, but not traverse the safety seal flange 120 in a removaldirection, for example by having an angled directional bias which allowsthe safety tabs 110 to bend in one direction easier than in another.This results in the safety seal ring 115 detaching from the cap 40 andremaining in place on the safety seal receiving portion 105 when the cap40 is removed from the fitment 30, thereby providing a clear indicatoras whether on not the flexible pouch 25 has been opened, and possiblytampered with, after the initial manufacture.

The flexible pouch 25 is made by sealing two flexible sheets of materialalong the edges in a sealed area 125. Alternatively the pouch can beformed by folding and sealing a single sheet of material as is know tothose skilled in the art. After initial formation, the flexible pouch 25has an open side to receive the fitment 30. The flexible pouch 25 can beof various sizes; however the preferred embodiment of the flexible pouch25 is sized to hold between one and five liters of fluid. The fluid ofthe preferred embodiment is a carbonated beverage, beer for example.

Sealed between the flexible sheets of material that forms the flexiblepouch 25 is the fitment 30. The fitment 30 is sealed to the flexiblematerial along the sealed portion 70 and along the extended tabs 75disposed at opposite ends of the fitment 30. The extended tabs 75 extendinto the sealed area 125 of the flexible pouch 25. In addition to thesealed area 125, the extended tabs 75 can be further secured with areinforcement seal 130. The shown reinforcement seal 130 is of arectangular shape; however, other shapes such as bars, circles, etc.could also be used. The sealing process used to seal the sealed area 125and the reinforcement seal 130 can be a friction welding seal, a heatand pressure type seal, or any other process of the like known to thoseskilled in the art.

When the flexible pouch 25 is mated to the fitment 30, it is importantthe two components be properly aligned for a secure seal to be achieved.The flexible pouch 25 is manipulated with a pinch type grabbingmechanism along an edge of the pouch, providing a set orientation of thepouch. The fitment 30 is manipulated with the guide surfaces, forexample by traveling along the pair of guide rails 95, thereby providinga set orientation of the fitment 30. The fitment 30 and flexible pouch25 having proper orientations can then be mated and sealed. The guiderails 95 that are used to align the fitment 30 along the fitment guidesurfaces 90 are then used to assist in transferring the flexible pouch25 sealed to the fitment 30 to a filling station. The filling stationfills the pouch through the fitment 30 with methods known to thoseskilled in the art. After the flexible pouch 25 is filled, the cap 40with the attached safety seal ring 115 is applied.

To install the cap 40 with the safety seal ring 115, the cap 40 andsafety seal ring 115 are first pressed down onto the fitment 30. Thefitment 30 has a top portion 135 which has a slightly smaller outerdiameter than the rest of the fitment 30. The smaller diameter of thetop portion 135 helps to center the cap 40 and safety seal ring 115 tothe fitment 30. In addition, the top portion 135 provides an initialflexing of the safety tabs 110 which are pressed over the top portion135 and the fitment threaded portion 35 in the first step of the cap 40and safety seal ring 115 installation.

After the cap 40 and safety seal ring 115 are pressed onto the fitment30, the cap 40 and safety seal ring 115 are rotated relative to thefitment 30 to engage the cap threads 45 with the fitment threads 50. Asthe cap 40 is threaded onto the fitment 30, the safety tabs 110 areurged down over the safety seal flange 120 to the safety seal receivingportion 105. The safety tabs 110 are then secured in the safety sealreceiving portion 105, thereby securing the safety seal ring 115 andrequiring the ring to be separated from the cap 40 when the cap 40 isunthreaded from the fitment 30.

The present invention has been described in an illustrative manner. Itis to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intendedto be in the nature of words of description rather than limitation.

Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possiblein light of the above teachings.

1. A fitment assembly for use with a flexible pouch, the fitmentassembly comprising: a fitment having a fitment threaded portion, thefitment threaded portion having fitment threads, the fitment threadshaving at least one fitment thread slot; a cap having cap threads, thecap threads having at least one cap thread slot; the cap being rotatablymounted and secured to the fitment with the fitment threads and the capthreads.
 2. The fitment assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least one capthread slot is wider than the at least one fitment thread slot.
 3. Thefitment assembly of claim 1 further comprising: the fitment having acanoe portion, the canoe portion having a symmetrical converging lensshape with a pair of extended tabs, the extended tabs being disposed atopposite ends of the canoe portion.
 4. The fitment assembly of claim 3where in the extended tabs have at least one notch.
 5. The fitmentassembly of claim 4 wherein the at least one notch is parallel to alongitudinal axis of the canoe portion.
 6. The fitment assembly of claim4 wherein the at least one notch is perpendicular to a longitudinal axisof the canoe portion.
 7. The fitment assembly of claim 1 furthercomprising: the fitment having a pair of guide surfaces, the guidessurfaces being parallel to each other and disposed on opposite sides ofthe fitment.
 8. The fitment assembly of claim 1 further comprising: thecap having a safety seal ring, the safety seal ring having a pluralityof safety tabs extending inwardly from the safety seal ring; the fitmenthaving a safety seal receiving portion, the safety seal receivingportion being disposed below the fitment threaded portion; wherein theplurality of safety tabs are received by the safety seal receivingportion when the cap is initially installed on the fitment, theplurality of safety tabs securing the safety seal ring to the fitmentand enabling the safety seal ring to detach from the cap when the cap isremoved from the fitment.
 9. The fitment assembly of claim 1 wherein thecap includes an insert for absorbing oxygen.